Summary
During a crisis situation, groups looking to use Ushahidi often need additional support beyond the software itself e.g. paying for hosting, supporting volunteers etc. The fund would help such groups.
What is the issue, problem, or challenge?
Ushahidi needs a rapid response fund for Ushahidi deployments in response to major crises. The ability of groups (often volunteers) to respond quickly is considerably slowed as a result . While the technology itself is free, funds are needed for the non-tech side for instance, to do media outreach,to disseminate information by SMS, to set up a free short-code, to pay for a hosted server, and provide a space and some food for volunteers to work.
How will this project solve this problem?
The project would facilitate more efficient and more effective rapid response deployments of Ushahidi, because groups can focus on the work rather than the need to gather resources.
Potential Long Term Impact
It would take less time before an effective Ushahidi deployment being set up by an independent group is up and running in a crisis situation i.e. both the site itself and what's needed to make the site useful in crisis situations.
Project Message
The Ushahidi platform is a first step towards establishing local networks to assist in emergency response. This will better empower communities, better inform aid workers, and help save lives.
- KONPA, Project ImplementerAdditional Documentation
This project has provided additional documentation in a PDF file (projdoc.pdf).
Resources
2010-09-06
Rapid Response Fund for Crisis Mapping - GlobalGiving
via globalgiving.org
